Chapter 9: I'll Be Here
Tadashi and Hiro watched from Tadashi's side of the room, the siblings on their knees, peering over to the currently charging healthcare companion. They had just barely gotten Baymax back on the charger before fleeing to the other side of the room and ducking near the bed.
"We should just say we're satisfied so he can charge in peace." Hiro murmured.
"I don't want us without some form of protection. I still don't really trust the doctors here." Tadashi confessed quietly, his Ninja's hat back on it's rightful place upon his head.
"When are they letting ya out anyway?"
"When they got me situated with the crutches or whatever." Tadashi sighed. "So, not anytime soon. You, in a few days."
"... So, that week's worth of clothes-"
"You are changing more than twice this week, Buster."
'Alright, alright." Hiro mumbled. "Still… I don't wanna go home."
Tadashi forgetting they were hiding, looked to him, concerned. "Why not?"
"You're not there." Hiro lowered his head. "You're not there!"
"Oh, oh, Hiro." Tadashi frowned. "It's not gonna be for long-"
"It's already been long enough!" The boy exclaimed, getting up and sitting on the bed, crossing his arms.
Tadashi pulled himself up beside his brother. "Hiro, it'll be okay-"
"What if something happens?" Hiro said, looking up at his sibling. Tadashi recoiled a bit, seeing there was fear in the boy's eyes. "What if they mistake you for someone else and take something else? Or what if they get you mixed up with an organ donor and kill you!?"
"Hiro, those mistakes rarely happen-"
"IT HAPPENED ONCE ALREADY!" Hiro screamed, breaking into a small sob. "We thought you were dead!"
Tadashi frowned, bringing Hiro into his arms, holding him close. "Oh, Hiro… Shh, shh… I'm here… I'm here." He tried soothing him, rocking him a little. Hiro clung to his shirt, burying his face in his chest.
"You weren't… You weren't…" Hiro whimpered.
Tadashi was worried. He didn't know Hiro washurt this bad. He knew he had some problems but… he thought it was getting under control. He frowned, cradling him close. "Shhh… I got you. It's okay… You're okay."
"I'm not okay." Hiro mumbled, slumping against his brother. He was tired, he was fed up with being in the hospital but he didn't want to leave Tadashi again either. "What if they don't let me in now…?"
"They won't… C'mon." Tadashi moved himself and his brother so Hiro was laying down with Tadashi. Hiro relaxed a little, curling up to his side. Tadashi stroked his hair, humming softly.
Hiro went quiet, nuzzling as he recognized the song. It's my song. He hadn't heard it in such a long time.
Tadashi started to sing softly as he brought the blanket up over them both. "Brother dear brother, I promise to always be by your side." He brought an arm around Hiro. Hiro rested his head against Tadashi's chest, closing his eyes.
"Through rain and through fire, Nii-san will be here. To chase away the nightmares and bring in the dreams." He smiled gently, nuzzling his little brother. He loved him so much and just wanted to see him happy again.
Hiro started to drift off, letting out a little yawn, huddling close.
Tadashi ran his hand through Hiro's hair. "And when I am away I will always know, that when I return home. There you will be, waiting for me."
Hiro fell silent as he drifted off to sleep, relaxing completely.
Tadashi kissed his forehead before turning off the lights.
"Goodnight."
I will always be here, Hiro. Never leaving you again.
oooooo
Hiro sighed, looking at himself in the mirror. He still had some bags under his eyes and he still felt tired. He figured it would fade off as he got back into his usual routine.
He splashed some water on his face before looking himself over. He figured he was fine before heading out of the room. He sighed as he started to pack up his bags. "You wanna keep my phone?"
"Aunt Cass is lending me her spare until we can get me back on the phone plan again. I'll be fine Hiro." Tadashi assured him, beckoning him over. "C'mere, let's see ya."
Hiro walked over, standing at his brother's bedside. Tadashi nodded his approval. "SFIT hoodie. Niiice."
"Thanks." Hiro sighed, wringing his hands in worry. Baymax waddled over to the two, ruffling Hiro's hair gently.
"I will watch over Tadashi. Will you be alright without me?" He asked as Hiro looked up.
The boy wasn't sure to be honest. He was so used to having Baymax around that it would feel weird not having him by his side… but he had to deal with it. He wasn't leaving Tadashi alone with the "butchers" as he started calling a few of the doctors.
He was still holding a grudge and he wasn't going to let it go any time soon. "I will. I know I will. Just keep Bro safe."
"I'll be fine." Tadashi hugged Hiro quickly. "I'll come home soon. Promise."
"Okay… Love you." Hiro hugged him tightly, nuzzling. "Get lots of rest… a-and don't forget to take your meds and-"
"Hey, it's my job to mother hen, not yours." Tadashi reminded him lightly, ruffling his hair. "Big Brother's job."
"Yeah… By the way um… what do we do about the gang?" Hiro asked, recalling that neither had told their friends at SFIT about Tadashi.
"I wanna wait till I'm closer to getting outta here. Just for a bit… if it's okay."
Hiro nodded. "Yeah, of course. 'Sides, I'll just say the same excuse I've been giving them. The nurses are were mad that I threw a stretcher down the staircase - Close your mouth Tadashi I didn't really- and that I lost visitors rights as per Aunt Cass's orders."
Tadashi blinked. "... That actually might work. Huh."
"Yeah. I'll do good in class." Hiro promised.
"That's my brother." Tadashi smiled, feeling pride. "Look at you, going to college."
"Thanks to my nerd brother." Hiro smiled, offering him a fist bump.
Tadashi grinned as they did their usual fist bump… as Baymax joined in.
"FWOOSH!" The brothers cheered.
"... Balalala." Baymax said. They chuckled before Hiro bid Tadashi goodbye to join his aunt in the hall.
"Don't worry, you can see him after school." She assured him as Hiro looked back, waving a bit.
He really wished he could just stay.
But he had work to do as well.
Plenty of assignments to catch up on. Tadashi would have his head if he just ignored them blatantly. He had friends to see… and a special project to work on.
Don't worry, Bro. I'll get this figured out.
